Key locking device



June 25, 1929. H. E. Mc'KENNA 1,718,299

KEY LOCKING DEVICE Filed June 11, 1928 Inventor Attorng Patented June25, 1929;

PATET OFFICE.

I-IARVY EARL MCKENNA, 0F RIVER ROUGE, MICHIGAN.

KEY LOCKING DEVICE.

Application filed June 11,

The present invention relates to improvements in locks and latches andhas reference more particularly to a device for looking a key in thedoor against casual or forcible displacement thereby making an ordinarydoor lock burglar proof.

A further object is to provide a key locking device of the abovementioned character, that can be readily and easily positioned over theshank of a door knob for cooperation with the eye portion of a keyplaced in the lock.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a key lockingdevice of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction,inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purposefor which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of theinvention proceeds and when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, andwherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout theseveral views:

Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of the key locking deviceembodying my invention, showing the same in actual use, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the locking device, per se, showingthe same in its open position.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodimeut of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generallymy improved key locking device, the same being constructed from a singlestrand of spring wire, that is bent into substantially inverted U-shapedformation so as to provide a pair of depending leg memhere 2 and 8, andthe bight portion 4. The leg member 8 is of greater length than the legmember E2,'and the free ends of these legs are bent outwardly.

The longer leg 3 has its intermediate portion disposed laterally in aninward direction as at 5, and thence laterally in an outward directionas at 6, to provide a loop 7 the purpose of which will be presentlydescribed. The outwardly extending lateral portion 6 is directeddownwardly at an incline as at 1328. Serial No. 284,561.

8, which merges with the free end portion 9 of the leg 3, and thisconstruction is clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

In use, the locking device is positioned over the shank 10 of a doorknob 11, and is associated with a conventional door lock arranged in thedoor A, the key for controlling the locking of the door being shown at12 and the eye portion thereof is designated by the numeral 13. Thebight portion 4 of the locking device 1 straddles the shank 10 adjacentthe door knob 11 that is located on the inside of the room and the freeend portion of the shorter knob 12 is forcibly positioned between theparallel spaced lateral portions 5 and 6, and the resiliency of the leg2 will cause the same to move into the closed end of the loop 7. Bygrasping the intermediate portions of the legs and forcing the sametogether, the lower free ends of the legs will be moved inwardly, sothat the same can be readily positioned through the eye 13 of the key 12after the latter has been turned to a locked position and by releasingthe leg portions the resiliency of the locking device will automaticallymove the leg members outwardly in opposite directions to engage with theeye portion of the key in the manner as shown in Figure 1. This willresult in the keybeing secured in a locked po sition in the door so thatthe same cannot be forcibly removed or casually displaced. The devicecan also be used to hold the key in place, when the door has beenunlocked, and when. used to secure the key in a locked position, thedoor lock will be rendered burglar proof.

The simplicity of my device enables the same to be constructed at a verylow cost and can be readily and easily placed in position for use,without requiring any alterations of the parts of the door lock withwhich the same is to be associated.

/Vhilc I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is tobe understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

ed for disposition Within the laterally disposed loop of the longer leg,the free ends of the legs extending through the eye portion of the keyand forcibly engaging With the respective ends of said eye portion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVY EARL MOKENNA.

